Oda runs out a clear curve on his quad landing edge before banging out the 3/3. Is it a fully credited 4/3/3 if he travels on the curve of his blade for a few feet before hitting the next two jumps? Is it more of a jump sequence than a 4/3/3?

Which is not to say I don't love him and would be happy if he won gold.

My goodness, Oda is an incredible jumper! He's definitely the front runner and heavy favorite not only at GPF and Japanese Nationals but also in Vancouver. Plushenko should really watch out this little guy now. The only question is, can he hold up under pressure?

Yuna looks so fit and confident, the competition is hers to lose. Nobody can challege her, her only enemy is herself. I really hope Akiko to step it up on her home rink, it's her best chance to grab that final ticket going to Vancouver. (But I like Fumie and Yukari too, it's such a hard decision which one I should root for...)

Any report on the non-Japanese skaters? Good luck to all of them, this is gonna be a remarkable competition!

Is it a fully credited 4/3/3 if he travels on the curve of his blade for a few feet before hitting the next two jumps? Is it more of a jump sequence than a 4/3/3?

His 4-3-3 would be fully credited as a combination. The skaters usually cover some lenght of the ice between the jumps while landing a combination that ends in 2T or 3T. The more speed the skater has out of a jump, the more lenght he/she will cover. It takes a great knee action to sustain the landing and not to lose edge or speed. Only combinations ending in loops are launched almost immediately after landing the first jump.

I think he's being sarcastic in that either Evan or the people surrounding him are acting like he's a knight... which wouldn't be surprising given their being on not-so-stellar terms, and Evan's World title.

Thanks for clarifying that for me Oscilla. Good to know. Oda's landing edge certainly looked fast and fluid, so the entire sequence looked extremely nice. I just wasn't certain about the ice coverage in between the 4 and the two 3's. Makes sense and glad to hear it. He's looking great, and an appealing personality as well.

Yuna looks so fit and confident, the competition is hers to lose. Nobody can challege her, her only enemy is herself. I really hope Akiko to step it up on her home rink, it's her best chance to grab that final ticket going to Vancouver. (But I like Fumie and Yukari too, it's such a hard decision which one I should root for...)

I say Akiko over Yukari and Fumie. Yukari's wrapped free leg in her jumps really detracts from her skating. As for Fumie....she's just old, almost 30. She's already gone to the olympics twice right? Maybe she should let someone else have a turn, esp because she has been kinda off her groove lately.

I say Akiko over Yukari and Fumie. Yukari's wrapped free leg in her jumps really detracts from her skating. As for Fumie....she's just old, almost 30. She's already gone to the olympics twice right? Maybe she should let someone else have a turn, esp because she has been kinda off her groove lately.

Why let someone have their turn if they don't earn? IMHO, This whole "letting someone have their turn" business based on a skater's age. A trip to worlds and the Olympics should really be an earned trip; not a gift; regardless of your age or accomplishments. It's as bad as how Cohen bemoaned over the fact that Kwan wouldn't retire and give someone else a chance except Cohen couldn't keep it together when she had the chance. Fumie is looking a lot better now than she did two years ago. That said, I definitely wouldn't be happy if Fumie goes to Vancouver if she bombs nationals and that likes of Yukari or Akiko does well.